I'm really trying
to grow old gracefully
People say things to me like,
"Getting old *****"
and
"Growing old ain't for sissies"

I look at the stately, elderly pin oak
in my backyard
strong, stout, knotty brown trunk
weathering Florida hurricanes
and lightning zaps
willowy, winding branches,
leafy emerald arms ever embracing us with
the O2 kisses we need to survive

Dashing Sir Oak tree
Playful, Surfer Palm
Lovely Magnolia
I'll grow old with you...

Gracefully

(Dedicated to our dear bhakti friend and kindred spirit
Catherine Jansen)

Catherine dances
around the cremation grounds
with the Nagi, Sadhus of Lord Shiva
skulls and snakes dangling from
their fearsome necks

Her unique eye is able to
behold beauty in the
dreadful and sublime

Cat's heart belongs to Banaras
also known as Varanasi, Kashi
City of Temples and Light
to die in Banaras is considered auspicious
and augers salvation

With Love and Compassion of the
Divine Mother
Catherine showers happy gifts
on orphaned street children
Clutching Barbie dolls and flashing
brand new dental smiles
they dance with her along the Ganges

Catherine dances with an all seeing camera
in her hands
Zooming in
and
Zooming out
of the sacred, human, transcendental experience

Kindness is natural to
our nature, in fact it's a
Natural Law

The Dalai Lama says:
"Kindness is my religion"

We are not so gruff and tuff
as we think and act

Our heart melts into itself
with every random act of Kindness
every warmly kindled smile

We feel an instinctive, innate kinship
akin to kindness
because we sense that
kindness begets kindness

Love bugs crazy in love
are everywhere
dozens of tiny ebony stars
cover the nebula white rose bush
glowing at the corner of our house

Millions of miniature helicopters, blimps
polka dot the heavens
hanging out on street corners, in yards, lawn chairs
honeymooning on warm, fragrant vernal breezes

One woman in Walmart parking lot
squealed, exasperated,
"Oh no! they are in my hair and car!"
vigorously fanning them away with
her Zanzibar scarf

Love bugs literally living, loving, dying
in their mad, mating frenzy
dance obliviously around
Spring's merry maypole

Love bugs drift past
David and I standing in the doorway
two lil' love bugs
kissing
"nose to nose
toes to toes"
as only true
Love Bugs do

Your golden sillhouette
dances towards me
illuminating
the window sill with
brilliant footsteps
...One Golden Kiss...
Dispels
the shadows and cobwebs
gathering in the corners
of my mind...

Easter lilies
regal, porcelain goblets of nectar
enthroned on my Kitchen counter
remind me of the Master Jesus'
ascent into Divinity

Pain, torment, gloom of Good Friday
Dark moment when He pleaded with Elohim
to remove the cup of poison from His lips
have passed away

Surrendering His mortal dread,
physical identity
He knew in the nucleus of His being
the Mysterious Truth
we shall alll come to know

Our inherent, indestructible
immortality and divine status

Instead of a crown of thorns
we place on Sweet Jesus' head
A Crown of Lilies

I danced with my Lord
in all the holy places of
the earth

His golden flute
constant companion of
those rosebud lips
suffused the atmosphere
with inexplicable charm and ananda

Skipping with sheer abandon
of children romping through
summertime meadows
we whirled far from
the riverbanks of the Yamuna

Twin stars, inseparable, indistinguishable
On a clear night, when heaven empties
all her treasures
you may see us with the naked eye
dancing on the star kissed shores
of Eternity

I sat with my Lord under
a shaded oak tree in sweet solitude
a cool breeze blew through the halo of His hair
and the butterfly flutter of His soft saffron robes
gently blessed the pining earth
every now and then the intoxicating aroma of jasmine
wafted from His holy skin
luminescent swans in His lotus orbs, floating on
the pure, pellucid streams of Eternity
sailed straight towards me as we gazed
transfixed into each others flying saucer eyes
He laughed at my dazzled enchantment
and whispered in coaxing tones
"Sing for me little one"
pressing the melodious murali flute to His
dainty lips
transported us to the Highest Heavens.......

Tenderly, I kiss my mala beads
crystal spheres of Light
echoing, radiating, reflecting
the myriad prayers imbuing
each solar gem
a starry umbilical cord connecting
me to You
Beloved Father

In this spacious network
all Your children
every bit of life
unfurl their arms
like Tibetan prayer flags
unlock tight, thorny
forlorn fists

Hearts unchained
reach out for the purest Love...
Morning Star splendor
Dearest Mother, Father, intimate Friend
God
clasp us to Your vast *****
comfort us along this hard and rocky
journey home

I bow to Life

I prostrate full body at the sacred feet of Nature

Willowy branches of trees swaying, bending
in the spring breeze
their hearts overflowing with sweet sap
I am so grateful
You gladly share the boughs of fruit
abounding on my oak wood kitchen table

Wild forest daisies don their
vivacious, yellow Easter bonnets
dancing with rays of sunlight
nod Namaste
Salaam, Salaam, Salaam

I bow to my furry friend Rama,
to the red and black poka dot lady bug
seated by happenchance
on my folded palms

I bow to you dear reader and lover of poetry

I bow to the Light within You